1. The Executive Board of the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum shall meet at 9:15, and the Forum shall meet at 10:15, the first Friday morning, September through May.

2. The annual membership dues shall be $45.00. $5.00 shall go into the Scholarship Endowment Fund and  $2.50 shall go into a Reserve Fund to be used, if needed, for any emergency. The application fee for new members shall be $10.00.  For new members who join after the February meeting, the dues shall be $7.50 for the remainder of the year. In order for a former member to be reinstated,payment of annual dues and a reinstatement fee of $25.00 shall be required. 

3. All checks shall be made payable to the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum.

4. Each officer and each committee shall stay within the amount allotted in the budget for the work.

5. The amount for memorials shall be $25.00 for members, $10.00 for members’ spouses. (See PART IV)

6. No money above the budgeted amount shall be spent unless it has been approved by the Executive Board. In case of an emergency, in the absence of the Treasurer, all checks shall be signed by the President.

7. All Financial changes shall be submitted to the Finance Committee before a proposal is made to the Board of Directors and the General Membership.

8. Annual reports of officers and standing committees, except Treasurer, may be given at the April Executive Board meeting and shall include a complete record of the year’s work and shall be written in the third person, dated and signed. Three copies shall be made: one for the President, one for the Historian and one for his own notebook.

9. Retiring officers and committee chairmen shall complete the business of the year’s work and shall present all materials related to their respective offices to their successors at the May meeting.

10. All material to be included in the Newsletter shall be given to the Chairman by the fifteenth of the month preceding the Forum meeting.

11. All material to be included in the Yearbook shall be given to the Chairman by June 15th.

12. The Forum shall sponsor Student Auditions and Scholarships annually. The rules governing these auditions are listed under Part III of Standing Rules.

13. The Forum shall sponsor student recitals (October through May) and other special recitals and activities when approved by the Executive Board. The rules for student recitals shall be arranged by the Student Recital Committee.

14. All profits from the auditions and from memorials and other gifts shall be designated for scholarships.

15. Video tapes and books are for use by Forum members only. One video tape may be checked out for one month only, with the tape having been rewound before return. More than one book may be checked out each month. Tapes and books must be returned at the beginning of coffee hour at the following meeting in order to be circulated again. Members using tapes and books shall sign out and in on the same index card, being careful to record the dates of both. A monthly fine of $5.00 shall be due on a video tape returned late, and a $1.00 fine shall be due on each overdue book. No other tape or book may be checked out until the item previously checked out has been returned and the late fee paid. Failure to return a video tape or book for two months or more shall result in a fine for each month past due and the loss of library privileges for one month. Members shall be responsible for tapes or books damaged while in their possession and shall be expected to use the honor system in reporting such damages immediately to the Library Chairman. 

16. The Kawai Grand Piano, donated annonymously by a Forum member to Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, shall have two tunings annually.  Cost shall be reviewed annually by the Finance Committee.  The Student Recital chair shall be responsible for arranging the tunings.

17. These Standing Rules may be suspended, amended or rescinded at any regular meeting by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, providing that such proposals are introduced at the previous regular meeting and the membership has been notified in writing.
The Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum is a non-profit organization.  All contributions are
tax -deductible.

1. All committees are appointed by the President except the Nominating Committee. All committees shall: meet in person and not transact any business unless a quorum is present; send items for the Newsletter to the Newsletter Chairman by the 15th of the month; make an annual report of the year’s work, including expenses, at the April meeting; and make three copies, one each to the President, Historian, and Chairman’s notebook.

2. The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall be composed of the First Vice President (Chairman), Assistant Treasurer, three members-at-large, the Bylaws Chairman, and if possible, the NCMTA district certification chairman.

3. The Membership Committee shall receive all applications for membership. The Committee shall review ALL applications, before the chairman makes a recommendation to the Executive Board for adoption. The Membership Committee may conduct business via e-mail to review applications instead of meeing in person, unless the applicant is questionable. The Chairman shall advise both the applicant and the Board of any membership status changes. The Committee shall use the following order of procedure for reviewing applications:

a. The Membership Chairman shall send an application blank, cover letter and application instructions  to a prospective member  

b. Each application for membership shall be accompanied by the application fee. Upon receipt, the Chairman shall present each application to the Executive Board for unanimous approval.

c. After the applicant has been approved, the Chairman shall issue an invitation along with a printed request for the annual dues.

d. When dues are received, the Chairman shall introduce the new member to the Forum at the FOLLOWING general meeting. At this time, the Chairman shall see that the new member obtains an information packet containing a yearbook, an area list (when available), a list of library books, certification brochure (NCMTA), Forum Auditions list, Theory Test requirements, deadline date for entering students in Auditions, and a list of opportunities available including information of Forum Sharings.

By June 15th, the Chairman shall prepare the certification page for the Yearbook, adding the name and addresses of the area Certification Chairman and the NCMTA Membership Chairman.

By November 15th, the Chairman shall obtain from the Treasurer a list of members who have not paid dues.

The Chairman shall: keep on hand a supply of application forms for general and Professional membership; keep the Referral Registry updated and inform new members of the workings of the Referral Registry; and give a copy of the names of new or proposed new members to the President and Recording Secretary at each Board Meeting.

The duties of the three non-board members shall be to represent the Membership Committee at the "New Member Orientation" meetings.

3. The STUDENT AUDITIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE shall: make all arrangements for the Auditions and Scholarships according to the rules for "Auditions" in the Standing Rules; give all pertinent information to the Forum members including: deadline for entering students; Audition music list; musicianship test information; and application blank. The committee shall: set the time and place, secure judges and negotiate their fees (pay the day of the Auditions) all of which shall be approved by the Executive Board; enlist monitors; make performance schedules and mail them to the teachers of participating students; prepare the musicianship tests; mail tests and judges’ rating sheets to the teachers of the students following the Auditions; arrange for coffee break refreshments and judges luncheons (paid by the Forum); notify the teachers and parents of the winners and the run-off. The Chairman shall: see that all areas pertaining to the Auditions are covered by committee members; preside over the Audition, inform the President to be backstage prior to the Audition run-off and to present the certificates at the end of the run-off performances. The Chairman shall: prepare the Honors Recital program, pay the cost of printing programs and present the Scholarship awards to the students at the Honors Recital; and send Audition dates to the Yearbook Chairman by June 15th.

4. The PROGRAM COMMITTEE, composed of the Second Vice President as Chairman and others appointed by the President, shall meet before the May meeting to arrange programs for the following year. Program time for all meetings shall be one (1) hour, with the exception of the September and April meetings. Thirty (30) minute programs shall be arranged for these meetings to allow for business transactions. The Chairman shall: confer with the Treasurer concerning the budget for programs; contact speakers by mid-May, indicating the amount of honorarium and requesting a biographical sketch by return mail; send letters of confirmation within two weeks; before June 15th secure a person to introduce speaker with a reminder being provided to each one week in advance of program (or preside himself); send a copy of the program, speakers and persons making introductions to the Yearbook Chairman by June 15th; send biographical sketches and persons making the introductions to the Publicity Chairman before August 8th; inform the Treasurer in writing before the September meeting the name of each month’s speaker and the amount of the honorarium to be presented by the Chairman on the day of the program; send information about the program and speaker to the Newsletter Chairman by the 15th of the month preceding each meeting; be responsible for all correspondence, including a reminder letter to each speaker giving date, time, place and address, and a note of thanks following each program; with the assistance of the Hospitality Chairman, make arrangements for the speaker’s lunch (paid by the Forum) and serve as host to the visiting speaker, make or arrange for a committee member to serve in his absence; invite several members to have lunch with the speaker; and arrange with the Corresponding Secretary to send a note of thanks to each speaker.

5 The BYLAWS COMMITTEE shall be familiar with parliamentary procedure based on Robert’s "Rules of Order" and shall also be aware of all needs of the Forum. When necessary to amend or revise any part of the Bylaws, the committee shall give notice of the amendments or revisions at the March meeting before the annual meeting in April. The Committee shall present a yearly report to the Executive Board for approval and to the Forum for adoption at the annual (April) meeting. The Chairman shall give a copy of the current Bylaws and Standing Rules to be included in the Yearbook to the Yearbook Chairman by June 15th.

6. The FORUM SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE composed of a minimum of six members, including the Finance Chairman and the Treasurer, shall provide ways and means of generating income to contribute to the FORUM SCHOLARSHIP FUND through projects, special gifts and memorials. The Fund shall only be used to support the FORUM SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS. Monthly promotional announcements shall be made at meetings and through the newsletter. The job description of the Scholarship Endowment Chairman shall include maintaining the Forum Scholarship Accounts, giving monthly reports, and processing awards. The announcement of the Presidential Scholarship winner will include only the TEACHERS' names.

7. The NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE shall: collect news items by  the fifteenth  of each month for publication in the monthly newsletter (September thru May); e-mailing the newsletters to the membership on the sixteenth  of the month and arranging for the printing and first class mailing for members who are not on-line at least ten days in advance of the meeting. Monthly mailings shall include all current members and sponsors of the yearbook. 

8.  The STUDENT RECITAL COMMITTEE shall: make all arrangements for recitals (October through April); be responsible for printed programs; set the time and place, all of which shall be approved by the Executive Board; announce monthly recitals and the deadline for receiving applications for the next recital at each Forum meeting. The Committee shall: have two committee members at the place of recital at least thirty (30) minutes in advance; one member remains inside the recital room to register performers, remind students of recital etiquette, keep order and preside over the recital; another member is stationed outside the recital hall door to welcome guests, distribute programs and supervise all activity in the recital hall. The Chairman shall: send a notice for publication to the Newsletter Chairman by February 15th,which notifies teachers having students playing in the Senior Recital that they are to contact her on or before the March meeting for applications; set the deadline for receipt of the applications; advise teachers of the number of invitations available to each student for his personal use; preside at the Senior Recital; inform the Forum President to award certificates at the close of the recital; arrange with the Recital Committee for a reception in honor of the participants and guests;  send recital dates to the Yearbook Chairman by June 15th and arrange for two piano tunings annually.

10.The YEARBOOK COMMITTEE shall: assemble all material received from the President: list of officers, appointees and standing committees and any other information; Recording Secretary: list of members and their addresses, telephone numbers and the residential area in which each member teaches; Program Chairman: copy of program, speakers and persons making introductions; Bylaws Chairman: up-to-date copy of the Bylaws and Standing Rules; Chairman of each Standing Committee: any information about special activities. The Yearbook Chairman shall not accept any information which is not complete and typed. After receiving all materials, the Chairman shall meet with the President to discuss the format of the Yearbook and all information to be printed. (Area Lists instead of Yearbooks may be sent to the many area music businesses.) Copies of the Yearbook shall be sent to all area colleges, the Community School of the Arts, and several state-level officials of the NCMTA. The Chairman shall: remind members, through "Notable Notes", to pick up and sign for their Yearbook at the September meeting and to notify the Yearbook Chairman of any additions or corrections; give three copies to the President; three copies to the Historian; thirty copies to the Membership Chairman; three copies to the Bylaws Chairman; three copies to the Yearbook Chairman. Remaining copies shall be filed with the Forum Librarian. The Chairman shall have printed thirty separate copies of "Bylaws Article IV ‘Members’ and Standing Rules" and shall give these copies to the Membership Chairman. The President shall approve the Yearbook before it goes to the printer.

11. The COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE shall: provide musical services to hospitals, nursing homes etc. where needed; provide refreshments when needed; and shall inform such institutions of our availabilities.

12. The HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE shall: keep a register of attendance at the Forum meetings; furnish name tags (white for regular members, colored for new members and special guests); report the number of members and number of guests to the Membership Chairman before time of meeting; make plans for and preside at the morning coffee; furnish the setting and drinks; and secure members to furnish the other refreshments and center piece. The Chairman shall: send a list of donors of refreshments to the Newsletter Chairman by the 15th of the month; not be responsible for other Forum socials and shall be custodian of its properties.

13. The FORUM SHARING COMMITTEE shall serve as an orientation committee for new members providing them with information about the Forum and its activities. The Chairman shall: submit to the Newsletter by the 15th of the month, the time and place of coffees to be held; and send a personal invitation to new members. The Membership Chairman shall be a member of this committee.

14. The REFERRAL REGISTRY COMMITTEE shall: keep an updated area list of teachers’ names, addresses and phone numbers (which may be obtained from the Membership Chairman); keep a list of teachers who have vacancies in their studios; and assist teachers in filling vacancies.

15 The PUBLICITY COMMITTEE shall: send articles concerning the activities of the Forum to the Arts and Science Council for publications; also articles to the Charlotte Observer and to other nearby newspapers at least two weeks prior to the event and state that programs are open to the public; advertise through the news media all special recitals; all workshops stating the clinician, topic, place, time and fee; and deliver in person a copy of the Yearbook to the Society Editor of the Charlotte Observer by September 1st.

16. The LIBRARY COMMITTEE shall: maintain the Library; make a display of video tapes and books available to the members at all meetings; buy new video tapes and books; collect all fines on overdue video tapes and books and give the money to the Treasurer to add to the Library funds; keep a file of Yearbooks; encourage use of the Library; and encourage members to submit brief commentaries of video tapes or books to the Newsletter by the 15th of the month. (See Standing Rules Part I - General Information, Number 15, page 33 for additional information.)

17. The ARTS & SCIENCE COMMITTEE shall notify the Council of the following: names and addresses of members of the Forum Executive Board; its monthly programs; special recitals and events such as Piano Teachers Workshops. The Chairman shall: be liaison to attend scheduled meetings of the Council and its Fund Raising Kick Off Luncheon; and notify the President when a report is to be given to the Forum.

18. The AUDIT COMMITTEE of three (3) members shall: examine the Treasurer’s books, records and reports of the year’s work two weeks before the May meeting and report to the Forum for adoption, following the reading of the Treasurer’s annual report in May. This report shall be dated, signed and copied at the bottom of the Treasurer’s report.

19. The ETHICS COMMITTEE shall: emphasize the importance of understanding the Code of Ethics and abiding by it; receive a written and signed statement of any grievance before action can be taken; and advise one in question and direct him to the Forum Code of Ethics.

SOLO AUDITIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS

1. A member in good standing may enter students in the auditions.  Each participating teacher is required to assist the Auditions Committee in some appropriate way.

2. Entrants shall be prepared to play from memory three compositions chosen from the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum list. This list shall be compiled by the Auditions Committee, using the North Carolina Music Teachers Association list, designated portions of the National Federation of Music Clubs list and other appropriate compositions chosen by the Auditions Committee. All three of the prepared pieces will be played at the Auditions.

3.  Deadline for submitting applications to the Auditions Committee shall be three weeks preceding the date of the auditions. Auditions dates: March 8-9, 2003.

4. Fees shall be submitted with the applications as follows: All performing students $15.00; theory test alone $5.00.

RULES

1. Primary Division entrants (Grades K-3)  compete for the Nell Scoggins Scholarship, established 2004
• 1st Place – $100.00 • 2nd Place – $75.00 • 3rd Place – $50.00

2. Elementary Division entrants (grades K-5)  compete for the following awards:
• 1st Place – $125.00 • 2nd Place – $100.00 • 3rd Place – $75.00

3.  Intermediate Division entrants (grades K-7) compete for the following awards:
. 1st Place -$125.00     2nd   Place - $100.00      3rd Place - $75.00

4.  Junior Division entrants (grades K-9) may compete for the following awards: • 1st Place – $150.00 • 2nd Place – $125.00 • 3rd Place – $100.00

5. Senior Division entrants (grades K-11) may compete for the following awards:
• 1st Place – $250.00 • 2nd Place – $200.00 • 3rd Place – $175.00

6. Graduating Senior Division entrants may compete for the following awards:
• 1st Place – $300.00 (Louise Nelson Pfohl Scholarship, Established 1968)
• 2nd Place – $250.00 • 3rd Place – $200.00

7. In the event of a tie in any division, the student with the highest  score on the Theory Test shall be declared the winner.

8. First, second and third place winners shall be presented in an Honors Recital at the May meeting of the Forum.

9. The Forum endorses the principle of awarding appropriate gifts as awards (books or recordings) or monetary awards, the decision being left to the discretion of the Auditions Committee.

10. The schedule of scholarship awards shall be subject to an annual review and may be adjusted as deemed necessary by the Forum.

CONCERTO AUDITIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum sponsors a Concerto Competition, under the umbrella of the Auditions Committee, with a chair appointed by the Auditions Committee Chair.
1. Members in good standing may enter students in the auditions.  Each participating teacher is required to assist the Auditions Committee in some appropriate way.
2.  Entrants shall be prepared to play, from memory, one movement from a concerto. Choice of repertoire is at the teachers' discretion.
3.  Deadline for submitting applications to the Auditions Committee shall be ---------
The Concerto Auditions date is Saturday, November 3, 2007.
4.  Fees shall be submitted with the application in the amount of $25.00.

RULES

1. Students in grades K-6 may enter the Elementary Division.  Students in Grades 7-9 may enter the Junior Division.  Students in grades 10 - 12 may enter the Senior Division.

2.  A student who has previously won first place in the Elementary, Junior or Senior Division may play in that same division for a rating and a certificate of merit. (If the studetns attains a grade of Superior, he or she is eligible to perform in the Honors Recital.)

3.  The Honors Recital shall be Sunday, November 4, 2007. All awards shall be presented to the winners at the Recital.  A winner shall perform on the Honors Recital in order to receive the monetary award unless prevented by extreme circumstances, i.e. illness, death in the family.  These circumstances myst be approved by an executive committee of the Auditions committee, composed of the Auditions Chair, the Forum President and the most recent available Auditions Chair.

4.  The Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum reserves the right to withhold scholarships if no candidate shall be found deserving.


ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES FOR CONCERTO AUDITIONS

1.  Auditions shall be open, as space permits.

2.  There will be two judges in each room, with the winners to be decided without finals.

3.  Ratings are to be as follows:

                   Superior:  95- 100
                   Excellent:  90 -94
                   Very Good:  80 - 89
                   Good:   Below 80


                                                                   AWARDS
????were these approved in October 2006 ---see 2006 yearbook p. 46)

1. Elementary:     1st place - $100;  2nd place - $75;  3rd place - $50
2. Junior:              1st place - $125;  2nd place - $100; 3rd place - $75
3. Senior:              1st place - $150;  2nd place - $125; 3rd place - $100
4. First, second and thrid place winners shall be presented in an Honors Recital the following day.
5. The Forum endorses the principle of awarding appropriate gifts as awards (books, recordings) or monetary awards.  Such decisions shall be left to the discretion of the Auditions Committee.
6. The schedule of scholarship awards shall be subject to an annual review and may be adjusted as deemed necessary by the Forum.


 C. STUDENT RECITALS

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